FIRST Logo Redesign?

[Billfred]

I noticed it in the video (but was warned about it too).

I was around for the change to the present logo eleven years ago, and I remember the uproar at first but it settled out. Considering the relative size of the fish I have to fry globally (Championsplit) and locally (the stalled growth in South Carolina and the paucity of nearby events for us now), I'll update the front of the Garnet Squadron shirt and roll on.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by dag0620

Technically this is correct. However it is still good practice for any organization to follow it's own branding guidelines. It doesn't really help the brand when they release materials that go against that consistency.

Yup, was just pointing out that it's not a function of "respecting the guidelines" (I'm sure they do) it's a function of they have creative freedom.[1] And that their not following the guidelines in this case doesn't give folks a precedent for ignoring the guidelines.



[1] Note that this applies to USFIRST as an organization and NOT the various Districts and other groups affiliated with it.

[GeeTwo]

I did notice that they had intentionally added a dark background and white text, which definitely improves the clarity of the circle.

I suspect that the pieces are "thicker" to reduce the amount of black. Putting the old logo on a black background would probably be too dark. The larger FIRST also has the same lightening effect.

As for the orientation of the triangle and whether the triangle or square is in the front, and the change in font, I'm completely neutral. The red alliance has been in front for a few years, so let blue have a turn.

On the whole, I like #3 at least as well as #2.

Edit: the rotation of the triangle allows the logo to use a larger fraction of the black rectangle, again keeping the logo from being too dark.

[LeapsAndBowns]

I'm a huge fan of the logo change, and more indifferent on the font change. One thing that really bothered me about the current logo is the weird downward slope of it from the triangle to the square. I love that the logo revision captures a logo that looks pretty much the same prior to inspection, but is much more balanced and sits on a straight line.

The new FIRST font is a bit round and cartoony for my taste, but I definitely like the change for it to be centered on the logo as well as a bit larger relative to the logo. I think it will make for easier use of the logo on letterhead, shirts, publication materials, etc. Whenever I design materials with the current logo, it's a bit weird to work around the asymmetry of it.

[PayneTrain]

I think a benefit to the new version of the logo is the modifications made to it give it a kind of informal symmetry that is more visually pleasing than that of the current, uneven logo.

Modern graphic design has sort of pushed wordmarks and logotype to the background in favor of a more distinct, sharper, and more universal brand mark. That's why I find it bizarre the relative size of the logotype has increased. Sure the FIRST brand does not have a sizable level of ubiquity, but I don't see how the change to the relative size of the logotype helps that.

[thegnat05]

I personally think that #3 looks a lot more juvenile than the previous 2. It looks cleaner but the change in the font makes it look 'younger.' I don't hate the new look as most of the changes are pretty subtle but I also don't think the change was completely necessary. I'm excited to see what the rest of the marketing materials for this season will look like and if this new logo will make more sense next to everything else.

[sdangelo]

Someone in the video discussion thread just pointed out that the new logo has been removed from the "FIRST Stronghold" graphic. Personally, I take that as an indicator that FIRST intends to roll this out as new branding, and hadn't intended to release it yet.

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by thegnat05

I personally think that #3 looks a lot more juvenile than the previous 2. It looks cleaner but the change in the font makes it look 'younger.' I don't hate the new look as most of the changes are pretty subtle but I also don't think the change was completely necessary. I'm excited to see what the rest of the marketing materials for this season will look like and if this new logo will make more sense next to everything else.

I'm not sure I'd agree that it's more juvenile than the first FIRST logo (sorry, I couldn't resist). It's a bit more cartoonish, but the first logo is just... Well, I'm happy it's history. I guess if they're rolling out a new logo, we'll get used to it evemtually.

[Jimmy Nichols]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Same here - I've heard that there is new branding coming with an updated logo, that it's been in work at HQ for a while. Unfortunately, I haven't been in a position to see if myself yet . It's probably safe to say that the changes to the logo in the video reflect the new Branding direction.

Just learned the same last night in our RPC meeting. Also that current logos and new logos will be ok to use for the next year.

[kristinweiss]

From what I've heard, FIRST is doing a lot of rebranding and is making this the new official logo and is changing the color for FTC and possibly some of the other levels.

[maths222]

Originally Posted by NorthernTaco

From what I've heard, FIRST is doing a lot of rebranding and is making this the new official logo and is changing the color for FTC and possibly some of the other levels.

Why are they taking away our yellow?

[Angeliukm]

Time to go update the team branding materials again...

Logos change, and we'll get used to it. I do like that the angle of the triangle and square match up where they meet now, forming one continuous line. The overall increased symmetry in the logo is nice, since getting the old slightly asymmetrical logo to fit in designs has always been a bit of a hassle. While I like the previous design a lot, the new one will be easier to work with. I'm guessing that's what FIRST was aiming for with the redesign.

The biggest thing I'm really not a fan of the new font. It just doesn't look as professional and clean, and distracts from the rest of the logo. With the sizing change, the leftmost stroke of the "F" almost lines up with the triangle's edge - but not quite - which is going to bother me for a while. Also, I wish they would have fixed the kerning of the "S" while they were at it. Then again, these are just my personal preferences as someone who has spent far too much time working on FIRST-related graphic design.

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by Rachel Lim

I did notice the change in the square overlapping the triangle instead of the other way around.

This might be the change that's bothering me most.

[Jacob Bendicksen]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Nichols

Also that current logos and new logos will be ok to use for the next year.

Even with this, I'm a little disappointed that the new branding didn't roll out over the summer. We've already ordered (and received) our shirts and sweatshirts for this year, so it'll take another year for us to use the 'correct' logo.

[Abhishek R]

I'm probably echoing earlier sentiments, and I understand that change is a process; but the third logo looks childish compared with the second one, which looks very bold and professional.